Federal authorities are investigating whether officials of the government south of the border participated in a citizen’s kidnapping and torture—Canadian authorities, that is, investigating the possible role of U.S. officials in the “extraordinary rendition” of Canadian citizen Maher Arar.

In the wake of the commando raid that left nine dead, the Israeli government confiscated every recording and communication device it could find–thus allowing the state to control what the world learned about the assault. Democracy Now! has interviewed some of the reporters, filmmakers, and photographers who managed to smuggle out some of their images.

They called it "Operation Sea Breeze." Despite the pleasant-sounding name, Israel’s violent commando raid on a flotilla of humanitarian aid ships, which left nine civilians dead, has sparked international outrage.

Following the Israeli commando attack on the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla and the death of nine Turkish citizens, popular outrage has swept the streets of Turkey. Anjali Kamat Speaks to Turkish political analyst Koray Çalışkan.

The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity is an environmentally friendly theatre that strives to produce 'theatre for a cause,' This year, some of the proceeds from one of the festival’s shows, “Decadent Acts”, will be donated to Democracy Now!.

NEW ORLEANS—The anger is palpable across the Mississippi Delta. As the Deepwater Horizon oil geyser, almost a mile underwater, continues unabated, the brunt of this, the largest environmental catastrophe in United States history, is rolling onto the coast, impacting the ecology, the economy and entire ways of life.

Israeli forces have attacked a flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza strip. Dubbed the Freedom Flotilla, the ships were aiming to break Israel’s 3-year blockade of Gaza. At least 15 people were killed and dozens injured when Israeli troops attacked the lead ship in the convoy–the Turkish "Mavi Marmara"–early Monday morning. The attack happened in international waters, 75 miles off the coast of Israel and Gaza. We reached Adam Shapiro in New York a few hours after the attack. He’s a board member of the Free Gaza movement, one of the groups that coordinated the Freedom Flotilla. His wife Huwaida Arraf is the chairperson of the Free Gaza movement and is on the flotilla.

The Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, has wrapped up a series public lectures in New York. For the past four days, thousands have gathered at Radio City Music Hall to hear the Dalai Lama’s Buddhist teachings. On Sunday, the 74-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner spoke at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine before a crowd of 2,000 people. Amy Goodman asked the Dalai Lama about the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the struggle for independence in Tibet.

Earlier today Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) resigned his House seat after acknowledging he had an affair with a female staffer. Long an advocate for "family values," Souder called for former President Bill Clinton to resign over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. On Sept. 17, 1998, during the Clinton impeachment scandal, Democracy Now! invited Rep. Souder and Rep. Bill McCollum (R-FL) (who is now running for governor in Florida) to discuss by phone a recent House vote on combating drugs. In the spirit of the times, Amy Goodman asked both men if they have ever had extramarital affairs. McCollum said "I am not, and, uh.. in, at this present time involved in anything whatsoever, have not been." When Souder was asked, he hung up the phone.

Lena Horne died this week at the age of 92. More than just a brilliant singer and actress, she was a pioneering civil rights activist, breaking racial barriers for generations of African-Americans who have followed her.

The pioneering African-American actress, singer, and civil rights activist has died at the age of 91. We speak with James Gavin, author of, Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne. Part I of this conversation can be viewed here

A stunning indictment has been handed down in Cincinnati, focusing attention again on police killings of people of color. This is a start for accountability and justice. Cleveland should pay attention. As the thousand people gathered there last weekend said clearly, “Black Lives Matter.”

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